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Span returns to Nats lineup

PHILADELPHIA - It absolutely poured here in Philly a couple of hours ago, and as I was trying to get off an exit ramp near Citizens Bank Park, I had to drive my Mazda3 through a two-foot-high puddle that felt more like a river.

I made it through just fine, and avoided having to roll down the window and swim to the ballpark. I guess the positive side is that my car won't need to be washed for a little while.

The rain has eased up a bit from where it was at around 1:30 p.m., but it's still coming down pretty hard here at the park. The tarp is on the field and they're calling for more rain throughout the night.

That's all I can tell you at this point. I don't have any more information other than what I see on weather.com, but once the clubhouse opens in a few minutes, we'll see what the Nationals are hearing about the chances of playing tonight.

Denard Span missed yesterday's game with a sore right foot, but he's back in the lineup today, playing center field and leading off.

Span said his foot feels much better today. He fouled a ball off the top of the foot Sunday, the third time that's happened in the last six weeks.

Also back in the Nats' lineup today is Adam LaRoche, who got most of yesterday off.

If we do happen to play tonight, we'll get a matchup of two quality left-handers - Ross Detwiler and Cliff Lee.

Detwiler will make his second start since coming off the DL last week. He allowed three earned runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Rockies last Thursday and comes into tonight with a 3.02 ERA on the season.

Lee has gotten off to a really strong start to the 2013 season, posting an 8-2 record and a 2.55 ERA through 14 starts.

The 34-year-old is 5-3 with a 2.51 ERA in eight career starts against the Nats.